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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Cormac O'Shea

The small recent changes Irish tourists need to know about Greece, Spain and Portugal holidays

Holidays are back from Monday as Irish sun-seekers finally get the chance to legally jet off to the continent.

The EU Digital Covid Green Cert goes live in Ireland on July 19 and will allow people travel to most of Europe.

Spain, Portugal, Italy and France are all part of the scheme which is expected to see thousands of Irish descend on holiday resorts.

But the rules have been changing across Europe in recent days as a result of the Delta variant spread - here are the main changes you need to know about if hoping to jet abroad next week.

Spain

The Spanish government has updated a list of entry requirements for Irish people wishing to holiday in Spain.

From earlier this week, a negative PCR test or PCR-like test (NAAT type) can be issued within 72 hours before arrival in Spain.

Previously PCR tests had to be taken 48 hours before arrival but this has been extended.

Irish tourists must also show their Health Control Form (FCS). This form must be completed and signed electronically before you arrive in Spain by air or sea.

You can access the form and sign it via the Spain Travel Health website or apps for Android and iOs users.

(REUTERS)

Greece

In a change similar to what's happening here in Ireland - Greece will require customers at indoor restaurants, bars and cafes to prove they have been vaccinated against Covid.

Development Minister Adonis Georgiadis told a news conference: "It is crucial not to give the impression that we are losing control of the pandemic so that our tourism industry can go on and operate normally.

"The course of Greece's economy will hinge on how well we comply with the measures and control the pandemic."

Dining outdoors will not require a vaccine passport.

Portugal

One of Ireland's favourite holiday spots has reimposed some restrictions due to the surging virus in the country.

A night curfew starting at 11 p.m. is in place in the 90 municipalities, which include Lisbon, Porto and Albufeira, where working from home also remains compulsory whenever possible.

Cabinet Minister Mariana Vieira da Silva told a news conference: "We continue in a race against time between the vaccination and the pandemic.

"The situation continues to deteriorate."

Empty sunshades wait for customers at Gale beach in Albufeira, in Portugal's southern Algarve region (AP Photo/Ana Brigida)

France

France is the most recent EU Member State to alter its travel advice after it announced plans this week to introduce stringent rules against unvaccinated people travelling from the UK, Spain, and Portugal.

While these rules don't apply to vaccinated Irish tourists, it's important to note the particular rules France has in place in regard to vaccines.

In order to be considered fully vaccinated against Covid-19, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the travellers should have been immunised with one of the vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

These are the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

But while people who received the one-shot Johnson & Johnson jab are considered immune against the disease 14 days later, France requires tourists to have allowed at least four weeks to have passed after the vaccine before they can enter the country.

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